Pinja cringed and ducked a little more under the blanket. "I'm sorry."

"I will accept your apology if you agree to let it go immediately after. "

Pinja disappeared under the blanket. "Why?"

"Because it's the only way you will begin to heal mentally. Believe me."

"I don't deserve to heal." Pinja said.

"Stop letting him control you. Take back your power," Brie urged.

"I never had any power." Pinja whispered.

Brie sighed. Then she opted for another tact. "You expressed concern for the babe when you asked if we intended to hurt it. This being mired in guilt, it's not good for the babe."

Pinja peeked out from beneath her cap. She felt even more guilty. "I'm sorry."

Brie sighed softly. The girl obviously was not going to stop blaming herself. Perhaps with time and others trying to tell her. "Just think on it. Choose to be strong."

"If I had been strong this never would have happened." Pinja said.

"You just rest, eat and heal," Brie said softly.

"I've been trying to." Pinja said. "It's hard to keep anything down."

"Just do the best you can. I know it sounds cliche, but time passing helps."

Pinja shivered under the blanket. She did not think enough time could ever pass if she lived to be one hundred.

"I'll let you rest. Please have Difyr let us know if you have need of anything. Anything at all."

"Thank you." Pinja sniffled.

"You're very welcome." She gave her another smile.

Pinja's shoulders shook.

Brie sighed and walked over to join Difyr.

"That's the most she has said to anyone besides me or Millie." Difyr said to Brighid.

"Really? I hope she soon learns to stop shouldering the blame. It really wasn't her fault," Brie said quietly.

"It will take time." Difyr said. "At least now she's trying to live."

"I know, that's why I didn't want to push it." She sneaked a glance at the girl. "That's the first step, trying to live. I'm sure Millie has been very good for her."

"She has been." Difyr said. "For a while she was the only one who could get her to eat."